AAPL vs. QQQ

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Apple Inc (AAPL) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ).

QQQ is a passively managed fund by Invesco that tracks the performance of the NASDAQ-100 Index. It was launched on Mar 10, 1999.

Performance

AAPL vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Apple Inc (AAPL) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

AAPL vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AAPL Apple Inc	-5.88%	9.05%	30.71%	49.01%	-26.40%	34.65%	82.31%	88.96%	-5.39%	48.46%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	-4.76%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	32.66%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AAPL achieves a -5.88% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's -4.76% return. Over the past 10 years, AAPL has outperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 26.22%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively lower 18.99% annualized return.

AAPL

• 1D: 0.73%
• 1M: -3.43%
• YTD: -5.88%
• 6M: 0.26%
• 1Y: 15.03%
• 3Y*: 16.29%
• 5Y*: 16.37%
• 10Y*: 26.22%

QQQ

• 1D: 1.24%
• 1M: -3.79%
• YTD: -4.76%
• 6M: -2.89%
• 1Y: 24.21%
• 3Y*: 22.83%
• 5Y*: 13.16%
• 10Y*: 18.99%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Return for Risk

AAPL vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

AAPL

AAPL Risk / Return Rank: 56
AAPL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
AAPL Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
AAPL Omega Ratio Rank: 54
AAPL Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
AAPL Martin Ratio Rank: 61

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 65
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 63
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 69

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

AAPL vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Apple Inc (AAPL) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	AAPL	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.48	1.07	-0.59
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.93	1.66	-0.73
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.24	-0.11
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.68	2.00	-1.32
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	2.10	7.32	-5.22
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AAPL vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AAPL Sharpe Ratio is 0.48, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.07. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AAPL and QQQ, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	AAPL	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.48	1.07	-0.59
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60	0.59	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91	0.86	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.43	0.38	+0.06

Correlation

The correlation between AAPL and QQQ is 0.67, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

AAPL vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

AAPL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.41%, less than QQQ's 0.48% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AAPL Apple Inc	0.41%	0.38%	0.40%	0.49%	0.70%	0.49%	0.61%	1.04%	1.79%	1.45%	1.93%	1.93%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	0.48%	0.45%	0.56%	0.62%	0.80%	0.43%	0.55%	0.74%	0.91%	0.84%	1.06%	0.99%

Drawdowns

AAPL vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AAPL drawdown since its inception was -81.80%, roughly equal to the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AAPL and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	AAPL	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-81.80%	-82.97%	+1.17%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-22.99%	-12.62%	-10.37%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.36%	-35.12%	+1.76%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.52%	-35.12%	-3.40%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.59%	-7.86%	-2.73%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-29.71%	-32.99%	+3.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.41%	3.44%	+3.97%

Volatility

AAPL vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Apple Inc (AAPL) is 5.65%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 6.61%. This indicates that AAPL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QQQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AAPL	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.65%	6.61%	-0.96%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.11%	12.82%	+2.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	31.61%	22.70%	+8.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.46%	22.38%	+5.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.93%	22.25%	+6.68%